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“I want to know about this deed.”

The banker was nimbly setting down long rows of figures. “No time to explain deeds, Peter.”

“But—but there is a clause in this deed, Mr. Hooter, estopping colored persons from occupying the Dillihay place.”

“Precisely. What about it?” Mr. Hooker snapped out his inquiry and looked up suddenly, catching Peter full in the face with his narrow-set eyes. It was the equivalent of a blow.

“According to this, I—I can't establish a school on it.”

“You cannot.”

“Then what can I do with it?” cried Peter.

“Sell it. You have what lawyers call a cloud on the title. Sell it. I'll give you ten dollars for your right in it, just to clear up my title.”

​A queer trembling seized Peter. The little banker turned to a fantastic caricature of a man. His hatchet face, close-set eyes, harsh, straight hair, and squeaky voice made him seem like some prickly, dried-up gnome a man sees in a fever.

At that moment the little wicket-door of the window opened under the pressure of Peter's shoulder. Inside on the desk, lay neat piles of bills of all denominations, ready to be placed in the vault. In a nervous tremor Peter dropped in his blue-covered deed and picked up a hundred-dollar bill.